Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-20
Cowardly and Brutal Assault by Lew
iston Desperado and Rum Sympathizer
on 1. ID. HOdsdOn OF Wayne,

Ihe usually quiet village OF Winthrop was
greatly excited Saturday night last, on the
arrival of the passenger train from Lewiston
which brought Mr.. |. d. Hodsdon of Wayne,
who for the last two years has been law
student in the village.
The news spread rapidly that Mr.. Hodsdon
had been murderously assaulted in Lewistou,
and beaten almost beyond recognition. Your
reporter repaired at once to the residence of
w. S. Huse, Mr.. Hodsdon's boarding place,
to ascertain the particulars. Mr.. Hodsdon
was found lying on 3 settee suffering con
siderable pain and his face badly battered
and bruised. Following is his narrative
substantially as told to the reporter. "Some
three weeks ago | received a telegram to 60
to Lewiston from neighbor and schoomate
of mine in Lewiston. l Immediately COM
piled, land on my arrival in Lewiston was met
by Mr.. Norriss, the neghbor above referred
to, and several staunch temperance men of
the city. | was told that Mr.. Norrlss
was engaged by them in ferreting
out rumsellers and gambling dens,
and that my services were wanted
by Mr.. Norriss to aid him. 1t did not occur
to me at the time that | should be expected
to act except AS legal adviser and | con
sented as the compensation was ample.
Since then have spent most Of my time in
Lewiston. A very large number of rum
sellers have been spotted, there are more
than 80 in the city. Evidence has been obtained
amply sufficient to convict about thirty five
of this number. Two gambling dens were
raided on, Sunday morning. Jan. 8, the game
was in full blast in both places, and chips
etc. selzed; five rumsellers were arrested the
latter part of last week and arraigned before
Ind, nf bo,,
AS natural consequence the liquor inter
ests became terribly excited and Norris and
myself were subjected by them to every in
dignity nth but faint hearted support from
those whose duty it is TO see that the laws are
enforced Saturday | took the train at the
Lewiston depot to return to my home. l sat
down in a seat next to the door with nv back
to the door. Just as the train commenced to
move, voice sounded in my ears from be-
hind, "what are you in my seat for?" in
stinctively turned my head and received three
or four terrific blows on my face and head,
delivered with the rapidity of lightning by a
burly fellow who instantly lodged back
through the dsor and off the platform; it was
all done quick that it was all over with be-
fore any one was aware of what was going on.
The fellow had on steel knuckles evident
ly, or else had stone in his hand, for cash
was cut on my mead from wnlch the Dl0Ou
flowed freely, and each blow on my face told
with fearful effect. The fellow was an utter
stranger to me. There were one or two others
with him, but think but one did the strik
ing. The train was stopped but the despera-
does were not arrested. The assault must
have been witnessed by several persons.
had been told that my life was in danger,
but it did not occur to me that | would be
assaulted in the cars. Yes. the liquor dealers
will resort to any means to break down pros
ecutions, but am in this fight to stay, and
if like the Methodist minister in Iowa, | am
to be murdered for helping enforce the laws
against this terrible crime of liquor selling,
yet won't finch.
shall go before the Grand jury which
meets Tuesday in Auburn and tell what |
know about liquor selling in Lewiston, and if
the police do not protect me | shall do the
best can to protect myself"
Mr.. II is personally known to your cores
pondent as young man of spotless charac-
ter, always a consistent temperance advocate.
For the first time in a great many
years, more than % at least, it
is believed that no liquor can be bought in
Winthrop by the glass. The crusade of the
w. c. T.U. has etfectually put stop to it.